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Meet The New Guy: Getting To Know Frederick Gaudreau

By Brandon Quast

PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 16: Frederick Gaudreau #11 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on prior to Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New York Islanders at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 16, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA - MAY 16: Frederick Gaudreau #11 of the Pittsburgh Penguins looks on prior to Game One of the First Round of the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the New York Islanders at PPG PAINTS Arena on May 16, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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It was early on in free agency this summer when the Minnesota Wild had realized first and foremost, a defensive overhaul was needed on the blueline.3 In addition to that, there was also a few gaps left behind in the forward group, one of those gaps was left behind by veteran Nick Bonino, who of which left the Wild to join the team that originally drafted him, the San Jose Sharks.

The Minnesota Wild were quick to find his replacement, inking 28 year old center Frederick Gaudreau to a very team friendly deal.

https://twitter.com/mnwild/status/1420432640302358539

Frederick Gaudreau went undrafted and after playing out his time in the QMJHL, signed his first professional deal with the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL, the Predators minor league affiliate.

Although his impact in the AHL wasn’t evident until his second full season in the league, he was indeed hungry and was always seeking more and he was rewarded. In the 15-16 AHL season, Gaudreau would blossom in Milwaukee scoring 15 goals and 27 assists in 75 games that season.

One thing to toss out there is that Gaudreau, due to his time in Milwaukee, does have an outstanding relationship with current Minnesota Wild Head Coach, Dean Evason and also the Wild’s phenomenal winger, Kevin Fiala.

Sep 30, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Frederick Gaudreau (89) has a shot blocked by Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 30, 2017; Nashville, TN, USA; Nashville Predators center Frederick Gaudreau (89) has a shot blocked by Tampa Bay Lightning goalie Andrei Vasilevskiy (88) during the third period at Bridgestone Arena. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports /

After proving his worth in the AHL, Gaudreau would find himself inking a contract with the Nashville Predators but for most of his tenure with the organization, would find the bulk of his success at the AHL level.

Seeing limited opportunities when Gaudreau moved off to the Pittsburgh Penguins organization only left him hungry for more and that’s when Gaudreau found himself coming to the Wild’s organization to be with his old coach from Milwaukee and former Milwaukee/Nashville teammate Kevin Fiala.

Final thoughts 

The Minnesota Wild most certainly had to fill their 3C role that was left behind when Nick Bonino walked to free agency. Signing a hungry and determined Frederick Gaudreau may be the perfect fit for the player to be able perhaps finally find some well needed and earned success at the NHL level.

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